Alvin Paulson of Belleville will no longer represent former Caseyville mayor George Chance in a petition for judicial review of the April 9 election.

Paulson moved to withdraw on July 5, citing a conflict of interest.

St. Clair County Circuit Judge Stephen McGlynn granted the motion on July 17.

McGlynn said he expected Belleville lawyer Kevin Kaufhold to file an appearance for Chance within 14 days.

Paulson’s conflict arose through the resignation of county clerk Bob Delaney, who certified Leonard Black as mayor after a vote count on April 23.

Delaney found 576 votes for Black, 572 for Chance.

Paulson filed a petition against Delaney and Black in court on May 22, claiming Delaney counted some invalid ballots and didn’t count some valid ones.

He claimed qualified voters were denied and unqualified voters were allowed.

Paulson also alleged forgery on applications for absentee ballots.

He identified Ace and Patti Hart, Dirk Chance and James Parker as persons who submitted valid absentee ballots but couldn’t vote.

(A memo obtained by the Record supplied by Delaney indicated that Ace and Patricia Hart were considered legal residents of Florida and that their voter registration in St. Clair County would be canceled effective April 2).